Two campers at the Occupy Oakland tent city dismantle their elaborate tent at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 in anticipation of police raids. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Two campers at the Occupy Oakland tent city dismantle their...

Image 2 of 31

Brian McKeown of San Francisco works on making a sign at the Occupy SF camp in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, October 21, 2011.

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Brian McKeown of San Francisco works on making a sign at the Occupy...

Image 3 of 31

Hundreds of Occupy Oakland demonstrators march on Harrison Street towards Lake Merritt to protest against corporate greed in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Hundreds of Occupy Oakland demonstrators march on Harrison Street...

Image 4 of 31

Karen Stewart paints a protest sign before a rally and march by Occupy Oakland demonstrators in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Karen Stewart paints a protest sign before a rally and march by...

Image 5 of 31

Peter Stensrud attends a rally by Occupy Oakland protesters at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. Following the rally, protesters marched around Lake Merritt. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Peter Stensrud attends a rally by Occupy Oakland protesters at...

Image 6 of 31

A flock of Canada geese march away from a march of Occupy Oakland protesters at Snow Park in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A flock of Canada geese march away from a march of Occupy Oakland...

Image 7 of 31

A demonstrator pauses below the Wells Fargo Center on Harrison Street while Occupy Oakland protesters march towards Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A demonstrator pauses below the Wells Fargo Center on Harrison...

Image 8 of 31

Residents in an apartment building on Harrison Street cheer the march buy Occupy Oakland protesters in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Residents in an apartment building on Harrison Street cheer the...

Image 9 of 31

A police officer clears traffic on 14th Street for a march by Occupy Oakland protesters in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A police officer clears traffic on 14th Street for a march by...

Image 10 of 31

The Sistah Boom drum corps perform before Occupy Oakland protesters march in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Occupy Oakland protesters march past the Kaiser Center towards Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

A masked protester bangs on a bucket while leading an Occupy Oakland march up Harrison Street in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A masked protester bangs on a bucket while leading an Occupy...

Image 13 of 31

A sanitation crew collects a mountain of trash from the Occupy Oakland tent city before a planned rally and march in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers in the tent city citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A sanitation crew collects a mountain of trash from the Occupy...

Image 14 of 31

Occupy Oakland protesters listen to speakers at Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall in Oakland, Ca., on Friday October 21, 2011. City officials delivered a second eviction notice this afternoon to protesters, ordering them to remove their tents and belongings or face arrest.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

Occupy Oakland protesters listen to speakers at Frank Ogawa Plaza...

Image 15 of 31

Police officers patrol on bicycle across the street from the Occupy Oakland tent city at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Police officers patrol on bicycle across the street from the Occupy...

Image 16 of 31

Yoga instructor Sarah Kent rests in a headstand in the Occupy Oakland tent city at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. Kent offered free yoga lessons to campers. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Yoga instructor Sarah Kent rests in a headstand in the Occupy...

Image 17 of 31

A public works employee cleans an area near the Occupy Oakland tent city at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A public works employee cleans an area near the Occupy Oakland tent...

Image 18 of 31

Campers have unofficially renamed the plaza where the Occupy Oakland tent city stands in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Campers have unofficially renamed the plaza where the Occupy...

Image 19 of 31

Occupy Oakland supporter Alex Brendel accepted a package of a tent, which was delivered by Fedex to the tent city at Frank Ogawa Plaza, in Oakland, Calif. that was sent by another supporter from Indiana on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Newlyweds Latrina Rhinehart and Mateus Chavez, grandnephew of the late Cesar Chavez, stroll through the Occupy Oakland tent city after exchanging wedding vows on the steps of City Hall in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Newlyweds Latrina Rhinehart and Mateus Chavez, grandnephew of the...

Image 21 of 31

Wedding guests, including several Occupy Oakland protesters, witness Mateus Chavez, grandnephew of the late Cesar Chavez, exchange vows with Latrina Rhinehart at City Hall and near the tent city in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Wedding guests, including several Occupy Oakland protesters,...

Image 22 of 31

A masked protester and his dog wait for a wedding ceremony to begin at the Occupy Oakland tent city at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A masked protester and his dog wait for a wedding ceremony to begin...

Image 23 of 31

A skateboarder and other protesters wait for a wedding ceremony to begin at the Occupy Oakland tent city at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A skateboarder and other protesters wait for a wedding ceremony to...

Image 24 of 31

Campers remain at the Occupy Oakland tent city at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 despite an eviction order issued by city officials citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Campers remain at the Occupy Oakland tent city at Frank Ogawa Plaza...

Image 25 of 31

Occupy Oakland protesters "Cronic" fixes his tent set up in front of City Hall in Frank Ogawa PLaza,in Oakland, Ca., on Friday October 21, 2011. City officials delivered a second eviction notice this afternoon to protesters, ordering them to remove their tents and belongings or face arrest.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Occupy Oakland protesters "Cronic" fixes his tent set up in front...

Image 26 of 31

The kitchen area of the Occupy Oakland protesters set up in Frank Ogawa Plaza, in front of City Hall in Oakland, Ca., on Friday October 21, 2011.City officials delivered a second eviction notice this afternoon to protesters, ordering them to remove their tents and belongings or face arrest.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

The kitchen area of the Occupy Oakland protesters set up in Frank...

Image 27 of 31

The Occupy Oakland protesters read the most recent eviction notice, in front of City Hall in Oakland, Ca., on Friday October 21, 2011. City officials delivered a second eviction notice this afternoon to protesters, ordering them to remove their tents and belongings or face arrest.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

The Occupy Oakland protesters read the most recent eviction notice,...

Image 28 of 31

Newlyweds Mateus Chavez, grandnephew of the late Cesar Chavez and Latrina Rhinehart walk through the Occupy Oakland tent city after exchanging wedding vows on the steps of City Hall in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. The young couple were excited to be wed in front of the protesters. The city of Oakland has issued an eviction notice to campers citing deteriorating conditions and health concerns.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Newlyweds Mateus Chavez, grandnephew of the late Cesar Chavez and...

Image 29 of 31

The Occupy Oakland protest fills Frank Ogawa PLaza, in front of City Hall in Oakland, Ca., on Friday October 21, 2011. City officials delivered a second eviction notice this afternoon to protesters, ordering them to remove their tents and belongings or face arrest.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

The Occupy Oakland protest fills Frank Ogawa PLaza, in front of...

Image 30 of 31

Occupy Oakland protesters listen to speakers at Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall in Oakland, Ca., on Friday October 21, 2011. City officials delivered a second eviction notice this afternoon to protesters, ordering them to remove their tents and belongings or face arrest.

OAKLAND -- Oakland officials warned activists with the Occupy movement Friday that their 11-day-old encampment in the shadow of City Hall was illegal and that they would be arrested if they didn't leave.

Late Friday night, most of the estimated 300 to 400 people living in Frank Ogawa Plaza, many of whom have set up tents, appeared determined not to leave. Several organizers said they were concerned that there was a tiny number of potential troublemakers in the crowd, but most protesters said they were committed to nonviolence if a police confrontation were to occur.

Shortly after the 10 p.m. deadline set by the city to evacuate the camp, there was virtually no police presence around the plaza. Campers calmly milled about, talking and laughing as Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up" played softly from a set of speakers.

Related Stories

City officials have issued warnings in recent days about fire hazards, sanitation issues and a growing rat problem at the Occupy Oakland camp, and Friday afternoon they posted flyers around the camp with an order to vacate Friday night.

Reports of assaults, threats and intimidation are on the rise at the camp, officials said, and their order demanded that activists allow police and emergency personnel "access to all areas of the plaza at all times."

Mayor Jean Quan said the group had lost control, particularly in regard to controlling violence.

"We've had three days now where we've had incidents where people have been hurt," she said. "We really can't let the encampment keep going."

Police 'evaluating'

Officials would not say what they would do if protesters did not comply.

While a few Occupy supporters packed their belongings Friday, several said the city's concerns were unwarranted. They pointed out that the camp has its own kitchen, medic tent, library and donated portable toilets, and argued that complaints about rats, drug crimes and violence in the area of 14th Street and Broadway went unchecked before they arrived.

Local residents and workers continued to bring donations of food and supplies throughout the evening to support the camp, either unaware or unconcerned with the order to vacate.

Shari Rivers, a barista at a nearby Tully's Coffee Bar, gave a gallon of disinfectant and a large roll of paper towels to one of the child care workers at the encampment about 7 p.m.

"Just because I work doesn't mean I don't agree with them," Rivers said. She said the day before, she had given the camp $100 worth of hamburger, water, napkins and other items that she paid for out of her own pocket.

Planning ahead

Protesters angry at economic inequality have sought to establish a mini-society in the plaza free of government control, and some have spoken of occupying the area for months. They have established perimeter patrols in an effort to keep out police officers and have not reported crimes to authorities, choosing instead to try to handle problems themselves.

City spokeswoman Karen Boyd said Friday's order was based in part on reports that a mentally ill homeless man who had been living in the camp assaulted several protesters Tuesday. No one called police. Instead, witnesses said the man had been pepper-sprayed and beaten before he left the camp.

Occupy Oakland activists met Friday morning to discuss increasing security to deal with reports of assaults and theft. Some pleaded with their fellow participants to be more welcoming of the media, after a TV reporter's sleeve was torn this week by an angry camper's dog.

A participant who would only give his first name as Anwar said he expected a mixed response if police moved in to remove tents.

"Just like in the real world," he said, "some people will leave when the cops say so. Some will stay. Some will protest. Some will get arrested. Some will get hurt."

One of those who left Friday was Ann Wenzell, who had been part of the camp since it formed. She said the mood in the plaza had gradually deteriorated, and the people there were growing increasingly hostile.

"It's not Oakland residents anymore," said Wenzell, 33, who lives in the city. "It's not the 99 percent. It's a fringe community. ... Everybody is angry."

Nationwide struggle

Other Occupy activists were making plans to stick around, scheduling a downtown march for noon today. Campers also expect more participants to come to the plaza over the weekend.

Cities around the country have been struggling with how to handle the Occupy movement since the first camp was set up last month in a private park near Wall Street in New York.

San Jose police broke up a small camp outside City Hall early Friday, arresting eight people. In San Francisco, police have twice taken away Occupy activists' tents and other possessions, only to see the camps quickly re-form. Fire inspectors have been adamant that no open flames for cooking or heat are allowed, and Mayor Ed Lee has said the city won't tolerate tents or other permanent structures.

'Building community'

Dozens of tents are now pitched at the south end of Justin Herman Plaza on the Embarcadero, and more shelters have been fashioned using overhead plastic tarps. The camp has a library, a first-aid center and a computer center.

Fruit and bagels were being served Friday from a kitchen, and a small table was stocked with sunblock and packages of condoms.

"We're building community," said a 73-year-old poet who goes by the name Diamond Dave, a veteran of protest movements in San Francisco.